Replies

1. 
   kennedy136 | Jan 12, 2003 04:47am | #1

   Mike,

            You could probably cut them by hand faster than you could set up that jig to do it.

                             Mark

1. 
   PnCbWshp | Jan 13, 2003 12:06am | #5

   When I first read this post, I thought it a bit sarcastic. Now after having read the Leigh bulletin on the subject, I realize you were probably just stating a fact. Have you by chance actually tried hopper joints on a D4 or know anyone who has. I'd like to talk to them.

1. 
   efarmer4 | Jan 13, 2003 01:49am | #6

   Leigh is known for it's long complex set up time... For one project hand cut would be faster, possibly much faster if your not used to the Leigh. I was going to post this earlier until I re-read the "no hand cut" part of your post.... but here goes anyway... as much for others as you.... A few years, well maybe 10??, FWW had a cradle made with what were called "lovetails", the pins were heart shaped where they came thru the tail board. So on the end view the pins weren't triangles with the tips cut off but were hearts with the point at the bottom of the heart to the edge of the board. I thought it was a great effect for a cradle, but I've never had a chance to make one -at the rate I go it would be done in time for their children. : ) And it is kind of an over the top effect for most other projects. But it really worked on that cradle.

   Edward

   Wow, I found the article: I think...

   BUILDING A CRADLE Slab construction and heart-shaped dovetails

   by Jacques Berger

   in:

   Fine Woodworking - July/August 1990 - #83

   Edited 1/13/2003 3:01:48 AM ET by EF

   Edited 1/13/2003 3:02:37 AM ET by EF

2. 
   kennedy136 | Jan 13, 2003 05:26am | #7

   Mike,

          Thanks for the response.  You are correct in that I was not trying to be sarcastic.  I don't have a leigh jig but I have heard multitudes of horror stories about setting it up.  Then he wants to cut angled dovetails to boot.  Yikes.  I think that many times people get the idea  that you can't be a woodworker without all kinds of power tools and jigs.  Just aint so.  I love my power tools, wouldn't be without them.  BUT, I also love my handtools.  Point is, many times it is far quicker, especially for a "one off" project to just do it by hand.  How many times have you seen Norm go thru all kinds of hoops to get a machine to do something that it is not good at in the first place.  Makes me want to scream at the TV.  Especially when I could have done it by hand in a third of the time.  I just wish some guys wouldn't automatically assume that it is more difficult/less accurate to do it by hand.  I believe in working in the most efficient manner and the simple  fact is many times the handtool is the way to go.  I'll get off my soapbox now.  Have a good one.

                                                        Mark

1. 
   mikkimel | Jan 13, 2003 05:10pm | #8

   Hey Guys, not that this is critical, but about a month ago there was talk of that add because it says it's the "first time doing hand cut dovetails" and of course Norm Abram rarely does dovetails by hand, but i saw the add and i'm confused by something.

   The add says "Photo supplied by Norm Abrams"

   Norm from new yankee is Abram, not Abrams, so is it possible that this isn't the same Norm?

   Plus the fact that it doesn't say the cradle was built by Norm, just that the photo came from Norm.

   Just some thoughts on a slow monday morning.

1. 
   kennedy136 | Jan 13, 2003 09:32pm | #9

   Mikk,

           I think it's just a misprint but I could be wrong.

                         Mark

2. 
   corners | Jan 14, 2003 05:48am | #10

   The stories about the Leigh jig being very complicated seem to come from those that don't have one or don't want one. I find mine very simple to use. The manual is considered to be one of the best - through dovetails has 15 pages in the manual and these are mostly very clear diagrams. I read through the manual one night and cut my first dovetails in 20 minutes the next night. There are many more sections to the manual because it does many things.

3. 
   besea | Jan 14, 2003 03:01pm | #11

   Corners,

   I totally agree with you.  I have hand cut dovetails and never had used a dovetail jig before I got the leigh this christmas.  It was easy to understand and use and the joints came out perfect.  The manual looks overwhelming at first but at least one third of it is just the assembly of the jig alone not instructions on use.  Then in combination with the instructional video it was simple to use.  I don't get where the complainers are having the problem.

   Bill

2. 
   besea | Jan 12, 2003 03:46pm | #2

   Mike,

   I just got the D4 for christmas and it came with a " bulliten " manual update dated March 2002.  This specifically tells you how to rout angled through dovetails with the jig ( as a matter of fact, that is the title of the 8 page update ).  I don't know when you got your jig but I'm sure if you contact Leigh they should send you these updates, considering the price of the jig (I got two the second one is for inlaid dovetails ). Good luck

   Bill

3. 
   WINNINGHAM | Jan 12, 2003 05:22pm | #3

   Go to Leigh's website and you can download  the bulletins on routing angled dovetails and inlaid dovetails.

1. 
   PnCbWshp | Jan 13, 2003 12:02am | #4

   Thanks, I now have the bulletins from Leigh on the subject. Its unbelieveably complicated, but at least its possible.

   I would like to hear from someone who has successfully completed a compound (hopper joint) project using the D4.